Chapter 6: The Richest Family in Haishi, the Ji Family

At the black market, Chi Mu received a call confirming a sale price of 130 million. With a calm heart, she simply replied "Good" and hung up.

On the other end of the line, Ji Yuanjing was stunned. Just like that? He hung up?

Since that imperial-made ceramic bowl, Chi Mu had not encountered any other high-value items at the Panjiayuan antique market. She had managed to pick up two or three smaller pieces, but turning them around only netted her three million—far from her target.

Chi Mu decided to try her luck at the black market, where trades were fair, just, and strictly private. After wandering around, she arrived at a Chinese herbal medicine shop called "Has It All." The owner, a chubby middle-aged man, was cracking melon seeds in a guest chair. Seeing a customer, he stood up with a grin, "Young lady, what can I help you with?"

Chi Mu scanned the shop and said, "I am looking for four herbs: tiger bone, dragon scale grass, Tianshan snow lotus from the peak of Mount Yun, and seven-hued lotus."

Mr. Wang’s expression stiffened. Good heavens, each of these four ingredients was more formidable than the last. The seven-hued lotus, in particular, had been auctioned off by a mysterious buyer for 700 million and had remained untraceable ever since.

He cleared his throat with a fist to his lips. "These four herbs are rare in this world. Getting your hands on even one is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I, Wang, am not without talent; I happen to have one of them."

Chi Mu’s eyes lit up. "Which one?"

"The tiger bone!"

"I'll take it!" Chi Mu replied without hesitation.

Mr. Wang stroked his chin. "Young lady, this herb doesn't come cheap."

"Just name your price."

Mr. Wang held up one finger. "One hundred million."

Chi Mu sighed in relief. "Deal!"

Right on cue, a text message arrived on her phone: 130 million had been deposited into her bank account. Mr. Wang, who never looked down on anyone in the black market, was impressed by her decisiveness. He promptly fetched the tiger bone and threw in a piece of insider information as a bonus.

"The patriarch of the Ji family, the richest man in Haishi, has fallen ill with an incurable disease. He just acquired a Tianshan snow lotus two days ago. Whether you can persuade him to part with it depends on your skill."

Chi Mu thanked Mr. Wang and left the shop. She then found a local information broker known as the "Know-it-All" and spent 50,000 to purchase details about the Ji family patriarch. Six months ago, Ji Mingda had collapsed during a board meeting and had been bedridden ever since. During that time, the Ji family had scoured the world for famous doctors and miraculous medicines, exhausting all their resources to save him. Anyone in the black market with a shred of ability had tried their hand at the Ji residence, only to return empty-handed. The patriarch's condition was an open secret in the black market.

Anyone you asked on the street knew about it. Anyone paying 50,000 for that information was a sucker.

Sitting in a taxi on the way to the Ji estate, Chi Mu listened to the "Know-it-All's" mocking laughter replaying in her mind. She rubbed her ears and rolled down the window, letting the wind carry away the annoying ridicule.

The Ji family villa, known as the Ji Mansion, was located in the most expensive, golden district of Haishi. The car stopped about a hundred meters away. "You'll have to walk the rest of the way; vehicles aren't allowed inside."

Chi Mu paid and stepped out, walking toward the mansion. Behind her, a black Maybach slowly approached. Ji Yuanjing, looking through the rear window, saw Chi Mu’s back. The gloom of having his call hung up on instantly dissipated, replaced by visible joy.

The next second, he forced his smile away, donning an aloof and noble mask that signaled he was not to be approached. As the car pulled up beside her, he rolled down the window. Meeting her gaze as she turned, he said coldly, "Do you need something from me?"

Chi Mu frowned upon seeing Ji Yuanjing. Her gaze shifted to the golden characters of the "Ji Mansion" sign, and her brow slowly relaxed. So, Ji Yuanjing was a member of the wealthy Ji family. With him as a referral, things would be much easier.

Chi Mu smiled, her eyes crinkling. "Yes, I do."

Ji Yuanjing felt a surge of pride. He instructed the driver to stop. "Go ahead, what is it?"

"It’s a long story. Shall we go inside your home and talk?"

"Get in the car."

Chi Mu sat in Ji Yuanjing’s car, entering the Ji Mansion without the slightest effort. Ji Yuanjing treated her to fine tea. As she sipped it, she spoke carefully, "Mr. Ji, your family is powerful and well-connected. Could you help me inquire about the whereabouts of a Tianshan snow lotus from the peak of Mount Yun?"

"Tianshan snow lotus? What do you need it for?"

"Legend has it that the Tianshan snow lotus grows in extreme cold, its petals as white as snow. It can neutralize a hundred poisons and treat internal injuries; it is a rare healing treasure. I suffered some burns, you see, and I wanted to try its effect." Chi Mu pulled up her sleeve to reveal the scars on her arm.

Ji Yuanjing’s pupils dilated slightly as he looked. He had investigated Chi Mu and knew about her hospitalization for burns. Seeing the scars in person made him shudder. But the Tianshan snow lotus—

"My grandfather has a Tianshan snow lotus!"

Ji Yu suddenly ran out. Seeing Chi Mu, he excitedly rushed over and hugged her legs. "Benefactor! You finally came! My brother is a monster! He wouldn't tell me who you were!"

Chi Mu was startled by his enthusiasm. "Please, stand up."

"Why is your hand hurt like this? Come, I'll take you to my grandfather! You saved me; he will definitely give it to you!" Ji Yu pulled Chi Mu toward the door.

Ji Yuanjing didn't stop him. While he found Ji Yu's behavior embarrassing, he followed behind them.

...

The patriarch lived in the main building of the Ji Mansion. Ji Yu was the little tyrant of the family; no one dared to stop him as he led people into the patriarch’s room.

As soon as Chi Mu stepped inside, she felt an ominous chill. She looked around, sensing something was wrong, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

The old man lay on the bed, looking gaunt. "Little Yu, you're here."

Ji Yu leaned in and introduced Chi Mu. "Grandfather, my savior has come to see you! She is amazing—not only is she skilled in medicine, but she’s also an expert in appraising antiques. A broken bowl she bought at Panjiayuan sold for 130 million! Even my brother praises her!"

"Oh? Let me see."

Chi Mu walked over as requested. "Elder Ji."

The old man’s eyes were cloudy, seeing only a dark silhouette. "You saved Little Yu. Our family owes you a debt. If you ever need anything from us in the future, we will certainly help."

Chi Mu said, "Elder Ji, I have studied medicine. May I take your pulse?"

The old man extended his hand. Chi Mu sat down and began to check his pulse. The longer she did, the more somber her expression became.

"The pulse is very strange. It’s like poisoning, but not quite. The illness isn't severe, but your heart meridians are damaged. Within a month, you will die suddenly." She paused, then added, "However, with me here, you can be saved."

Chi Mu’s assessment sent Ji Yuanjing’s heart on a roller coaster. He asked in disbelief, "You have a way?"

Chi Mu nodded, turning to the patriarch. "Elder Ji, I came for the Tianshan snow lotus. If I save your life, may I have it?"

The old man chuckled. "Silly girl, if you want the snow lotus, I would give it to you even if you didn't save me."

"The Tianshan snow lotus is priceless. Saving Ji Yu was a mere trifle, but treating your illness will take a great deal of effort. This way, I can accept it with a clear conscience."

Chi Mu took out her silver needle case and laid them out one by one. "I am going to perform acupuncture. No one is allowed to disturb us. You must all leave."